Access and Membership

UCT Council Members

How to join

The library staff will enter your details in the Third Party System and provide you with a Third Party number.

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle). The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday. Here you will be issued with your Library Subscriber Card.

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books and journals, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost Subscriber Card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus).Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: Yes

Interlibrary Loans: Yes

Short Loans: Yes

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: This facility is reserved for specified primary members of UCT Libraries, viz. emeritus professors, current academic staff, postdoctoral research fellows, and postgraduate students at masters or doctoral level. (Honorary staff and research associates may not use the Research Commons.

Fees

Fees payable: None

UCT Staff Category

Current UCT permanent staff members

Current UCT contract staff members

UCT Postdoctoral Research Fellows

Emeritus professors

How to join

Permanent UCT staff members: You need to be registered as a member of the Libraries. Bring your staff card to the Loans Desk and we will register you on the system.

Your staff card is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books and journals, and make photocopies.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for materials issued on it.

Lost staff card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone: (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Contract staff: Please bring your letter of appointment and your staff card to the Loans Desk and we will register you on the system.

Postdoctoral Research Fellows: Please bring your UCT card and documentation confirming your Fellowship to the Loans Desk and we will register you on the system.

Emeritus professors: Please bring your UCT retiree's card to the Loans Desk so that your record can be updated accordingly.

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: Yes

Interlibrary Loans: Yes

Short Loans: Yes

Knowledge Commons: Yes

Research Commons: Yes

Fees

Fees payable: None

UCT Postgraduate Students

How to join

As a UCT student, you are automatically registered as a member of the Libraries.

Your student card is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books and journals, and make photocopies or computer printouts.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for materials issued on it.

Lost student card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Borrowing quota (Short Loan items) : 3 items
Loan period : 3 hours or 1 hour during the day, depending on the status of the item
Overnight loans: from 15h00 to 09h30 the following morning
Weekend loans: from 15h00 on Friday to 09h30 on the following Monday morning

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: Yes

Interlibrary Loans: Yes

Short Loans: Yes

Research Commons: Yes, for postgraduate students at masters or doctoral level.

Fees

Fees payable: none

UCT Undergraduate Students

Registered UCT undergraduate students

How to join

As a UCT student, you are automatically registered as a member of the Libraries.

Your student card is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies or printouts.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for materials issued on it.

Lost student card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone: (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing quota (Short Loan items) : 3 items
Loan period : 3 hours or 1 hour during the day, depending on the status of the item
Overnight loans: from 15h00 to 09h30 the following morning
Weekend loans: from 15h00 on Friday to 09h30 on the following Monday morning

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed.The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Library Subscriber Card.

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost Subscriber Card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone: (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: No

Interlibrary Loans: Yes (on request when joining the Libraries)

Short Loans: No

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: No

Fees

Fees payable: None

UCT Alumni (Graduated)

Alumni who have graduated from the University of Cape Town may apply to UCT Libraries for a subscription lasting 6 months or a year. The subscription is granted for research purposes only, and is subject to approval.

How to join

For graduates who wish to borrow material or use physical Library spaces, they need to apply to UCT Libraries for a subscription lasting 6 months or 1 year.

You will be informed of the outcome of the application within 7 days, after which you can make an EFT payment for your subscription fees.

The library staff will provide you with a library subscriber number.

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday

Here, you will be issued with your Library Subscriber Card.

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost Subscriber Card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone: (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Bring your Subscriber's Card to the Loans Desk and we will register you on the library system.

Borrowing Privileges

Please note that access extends only to the print collection. Formats such as videos, DVDs, music CDs, and LPs may not be borrowed.

Access to Facilities

Alumni have access to electronic resources listed on the Alumni Resources page. Unfortunately, the services and/or spaces listed below are for current staff and students of UCT:

Electronic resources

Interlibrary Loans

Short Loans

Research Commons

Knowledge Commons

Fees

R1000.00 for a year.

R500.00 for 6 months.

CALICO Members

Access-Only Members and Secondary Members:

CALICO Access Only Members: The following Cape Library Consortium (CALICO) members will be granted access, but not borrowing privileges, on a limited basis:

Undergraduates registered at the University of Stellenbosch, University of the Western Cape, or Cape Peninsula University of Technology may not join UCT Libraries, but may access the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library and the Health Sciences Library and use (but not borrow) printed resources; staff assistance is only on a limited basis.

They will not be allowed access during the mid-year examination period and the two weeks prior to it, or during the year-end examination period and the three weeks prior to it.

CALICO undergraduates must present their student cards at Library Reception and sign the guest register in order to gain access.

Note: The Law Library may only be accessed by staff, LLM and doctoral students from Calico institutions.

CALICO Secondary Members: The following Cape Library Consortium (CALICO) members qualify as secondary members of UCT Libraries. These members may use the Library's print materials, have limited staff assistance and borrow books.

Staff of the University of Stellenbosch, University of the Western Cape and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Postgraduate students in possession of a first degree and currently registered for further study at the University of Stellenbosch or University of the Western Cape.

Students currently registered for a BTech degree at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (and in possession of a first degree).

Access for these users is restricted to the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library and the Health Sciences Library.

Only staff, LLM and doctoral students from Calico institutions may access and become secondary members at the Law Library.

How to join

(This applies to users specified as "Secondary Members" above.)

You will need to produce a letter of referral from your home (CALICO) library when applying for borrowing membership in terms of the CALICO agreement.

You will be required to produce your staff or student card and a means of identification such as an ID, passport or driver's licence.

The library staff will provide you with a library subscriber number.

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Library Subscriber Card.

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost Subscriber Card:If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone: (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

CHELSA Members

How to join

Get an official CHELSA letter of introduction from your own University library.

The letter should :

confirm that you are a bona fide staff member, masters, or doctoral student of the institution;

state the purpose of your visit, your field of study, and why you need to use UCT Libraries;

state the period of time for which you will need access to the Libraries.

Bring the letter of introduction to the Loans Desk in the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library. In addition to the letter, you will be required to produce your staff or student card and your ID, passport, or driver's licence.

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Library Subscriber Card.

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost Subscriber Card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the library immediately: telephone: (021) 650 3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Borrowing Privileges

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: No

Interlibrary Loans: Yes, at current South African Interlending Scheme rates, provided that the user's home institution is outside the Western Cape. A copy of your letter of introduction from your home institution must be produced.

External Examiners

How to join

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Third Party ID card:

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable.

Lost card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the Library immediately: telephone: (021) 650-3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Bring your card to the Loans Desk and we will register you on the Library system.

Extramural Lecturers

How to join

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00 -16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Third Party ID card:

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the Library immediately: telephone: (021) 650-3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: No

Interlibrary Loans: No

Short Loans: No

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: No

Fees

Fees payable: None

Prospective Masters and PhD students

Prospective Masters and PhD students who have not yet registered to study at UCT.

How to join

Note: Library membership will be granted for a period of 3 months. If you have not registered as a UCT student after 3 months, you may apply for a renewal of library membership for a further 3 months. Thereafter library privileges will cease.

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle). The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Third Party ID card:

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the guest register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the Library immediately: telephone: (021) 650-3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Borrowing quota (Short Loan items) : 3 items
Loan period : 3 hours or 1 hour during the day, depending on the status of the item
Overnight loans: from 15h00 to 09h30 the following morning
Weekend loans: from 15h00 on Friday to 09h30 on the following Monday morning

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: Yes

Interlibrary Loans: Yes (photocopies only)

Short Loans: Yes

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: No

Fees

Fees payable: None

UCT-affiliated Research Institute Members

For example members of the following institutions:

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

iThemba Labs (formerly National Accelerator Centre (NAC))

South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)

If you wish to query if your institution qualifies please contact Niel Mostert

How to join

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Third Party ID card:

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books, and make photocopies.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for books issued on it.

Lost card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the Library immediately: telephone: (021) 650-3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Bring your card and Letter of Introduction to the Loans Desk and we will register you on the Library system.

Borrowing Privileges

Library materials may only be borrowed if your host Department has signed surety for them in your letter of introduction.

Borrowing quota : 12 books
Loan period (books): 35 days (renewable once)
Journals, videos, DVDs, music CDs, and LPs may not be borrowed.

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: No

Interlibrary Loans: No

Short Loans: No

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: No

Fees

Fees payable: None

Visiting Academics

Visiting lecturers

Visiting academics/researchers and students working with a UCT Department

Not included: Academics and postgraduate students from international academic institutions who are visiting Cape Town (but not officially visiting a UCT Department) ... please see the category: Visiting Researchers. Bona fide researchers visiting to consult specialist research collections ...please see the category: Day Visitors.

How to join

Take this number to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle).The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Here, you will be issued with your Third Party ID card:

This is a multipurpose card which you can use to access the Libraries, take out books and journals, and make photocopies.

You will be required to present your card at Library Reception and sign the Guest Register whenever you enter the Library.

Your card is not transferable and you are responsible for materials issued on it.

Lost card: If you lose your card, please report the loss to the Library immediately: telephone: (021) 650-3118/3120/3134. You can replace your card for a fee of R120.00, to be paid at the Cashier's office in the Kramer Law Building (Middle Campus). Take your receipt to the Access Control Administration Office on the Ground Floor, Marine Geoscience Building (off Madiba Circle), to get your new card. The Office is open 08h00-16h00, Monday to Friday.

Note: Materials that have been requested by another borrower will not be renewed. The Libraries may shorten the loan period of an item that has been requested by another borrower.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: Yes

Interlibrary Loans: Yes

Short Loans: Yes

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: No

Fees

Fees payable: None

Visiting Researchers

Academics and postgraduate students from international academic institutions who are visiting Cape Town, but not officially visiting a UCT Department.

Not included: Visiting lecturers, researchers, and students attached to a UCT Department, please see the category: Visiting Academics. Bona fide researchers visiting to consult specialist research collections, please see the category: Day Visitors.

Access

Academics and postgraduate students from overseas academic institutions may have access but no borrowing privileges.

You will need to produce of a Letter of Introduction (on a formal letterhead) from your home institution. The letter should:

confirm that you are a bona fide staff member or postgraduate student of the institution;

state the purpose of your visit, your field of study, and why you need to use UCT Libraries;

state the period of time for which you will need access to the Libraries.

You will be required to sign the Guest Register and present your ID document (with photograph) at Library Reception whenever you visit the Library

Borrowing Privileges

No borrowing privileges.

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: No

Interlibrary Loans: No

Short Loans: No

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: No

A Visitor's photocopy card can be purchased from the Document Centre for R25.00 (which is not refundable). You will then need to add credit to the card in order to make photocopies. This can be done in the Document Centre or at the vending machines in the Library.

Fees

Fees are charged according to the length of your visit, and are not refundable if your visit is cut short.

0 - 3 weeks visit: No fees

3 weeks to 3 months: R500

3 to 6 months: R1000

6 to 9 months: R1500

9 to 12 months: R2000

Day Visitors

Members of the public who wish to use the University Libraries* on a once-off basis, or for a few visits.

Health Sciences Library : Only bona fide members of the health profession.

Law Library : Only bona fide members of the legal profession and judges.

Access

Members of the public:

Members of the public who wish to use the University Libraries on a once-off basis or for a few visits, may do so at the cost of R60.00 per day.

This entrance fee allows you access only to the Library at which you paid.

You will be required to sign the Guest Register and present your ID document (with photograph) at Library Reception whenever you visit the Library.

You may use the Library's print materials and may have limited staff assistance.

Day visitors may not use the Library as a study venue.

Researchers visiting to consult specialist research collections:

Bona fide researchers wishing to consult specialist research collections such as the African Studies Collection, Government Publications, Rare Books & Special Collections, and Manuscripts & Archives, may do so free of charge by arrangement with the head of the relevant section of the Libraries. See Library Contactsfor contact information.

Borrowing Privileges

No borrowing privileges

Access to Facilities

Electronic resources: No

Interlibrary Loans: No

Short Loans: No

Knowledge Commons: No

Research Commons: No

A Visitor's photocopy card can be purchased from the Document Centre R25.00 (which is not refundable). You will then need to add credit to the card in order to make photocopies. This can be done in the Document Centre or at the vending machines in the Library.

Fees

Members of the public: R 60.00 per day

Bona fide researchers visiting specialist areas: None

Not Admitted: We regret that we are unable to admit school learners, students from private educational institutions, or undergraduates from other tertiary (non-CALICO) institutions, including distance-learning institutions.